Christmas shoppers get transport boost

Christmas shoppers and partygoers can heave a sigh of relief this weekend as extra transport services are operating throughout the country.

There's good news for rail travellers this week, with all Dart and commuter services operating normally every day and weekend from now up to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Normal weekend services will also operate on the Belfast and Sligo routes. Iarnród Éireann has put an extra train on the Galway-to-Dublin route tomorrow, leaving Galway at 7.25 a.m.

In Dublin, new late-night Luas trams are operating until December 23rd, running every 30 minutes after the normal passenger service ends on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The last inbound tram leaves at 2.30 a.m., with the last outbound service at 3.00 a.m..

However, improvement works on the Cork-Cobh rail line will continue until Sunday, with buses standing in for some services. Affected services include Saturday's 8 p.m., 9.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. Cork-to-Cobh services, and 8.30 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. services from Cobh to Cork. Some services on the Sunday will also be substituted by buses.

Events around Dublin may cause problems for motorists this weekend. The Light Up a Life event will take place in Harold's Cross Hospice on Sunday, between 3.30 and 6.30 pm.

Up to 7,000 people are expected to attend, but parking is limited so visitors are advised to park and walk, or use public transport. Major traffic congestion should be expected in the area between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The RDS is still hosting the 7UP Christmas on Ice event, so extra traffic is expected around the Donnybrook area at peak times. It's a similar story at Smithfield, thanks to the Smithfield on Ice event.

Parking is available nearby at the Statoil at Ushers Island, Thomas Street, Ilac Centre, Jervis Centre and Parnell Street, with the added bonus of a Luas stop 100 metres from the entrance.

Disney on Ice is still in town at the Point Theatre until Sunday, so motorists in the area can expect delays along the North Quays, South Quays and East Wall Rd.

Sports events may also have an impact on traffic around the country. In rugby, Saturday's Heineken Cup match between Leinster and Bourgoin takes place at Lansdowne Road at 5.15 pm, so prepare for delays in the area before and after the match. Also on Saturday, Connacht take on Montpelier at the Sportsgrounds in Galway, starting at 2.30 p.m.

In GAA, the Connacht Senior Football final between the Ballina Stephenites and Killererin will take place on Sunday in Ballina at 2 p.m.

The Leinster Senior Football final between Portlaois and Skryne kicks off at 2 p.m. in Newbridge, affecting traffic in the area. The Munster Senior Football final also takes place on Sunday, with Kilmurry-Ibrickane taking on Stradbally in Thurles at 2 p.m.

Crowds will flock to Punchestown on Sunday to see Beef or Salmon running, so beware of increased traffic volumes around the race course.

Elsewhere, travellers on the N7 should watch out for the traffic-management set up at Johnstown Village and Kill, thanks to the N7 road-widening scheme.

Other delays to watch out for are on the N9 in Castledermot, with a stop/go system in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and temporary traffic lights from 6 p.m. overnight.

Roadworks and temporary traffic lights are still in place north of Ashbourne on the N2. Motorists should expect delays in both directions.

Rush-hour hold-ups are also anticipated in Westmeath, with roadworks on the N6 in Moate. In Kerry, improvement works are in operation for about three kilometres. Traffic to and from Tralee and Limerick on the N21 and Killarney and Cork on the N22 will be affected.

It is not all bad news though as the two-kilometre stretch of motorway from the Ballinteer Interchange to Leopardstown Road is now open to motorists.